Back then, a source said that any trade would have to include Taijuan Walker. GM Jack Zduriencik said at the winter meetings that Walker, the Mariners’ top pitching prospect, wasn’t available.

But is he now?

Sources have said that Walker is no longer untouchable when it comes to trade talks. The Mariners could part with him for the right player. I will be interested to see which teams are scouting Walker’s start on Saturday night in Tacoma. I’m certain the Rays will be there watching him.

Rosenthal said the price tag for Price could be something like Walker, Nick Franklin and DJ Peterson. Is that too much? You know Price won’t re-sign if you acquire him. But you could keep him, make the qualifying offer and get the draft pick when a team signs him as Rosenthal points or even try to flip him by midseason of next year.

Reports have said that Tampa will use the all-star break to assess where the team is at and whether it will start selling pieces.

For you Tulo addicts, Rosenthal offers up some info on that. I’ve read that the Rockies won’t consider moving Troy Tulowitzki until the offseason if at all. Also with Tulo, there is the large amount of money owed. If they did acquire him, the team would have close $70 million dollars a year tied up in three players for the next five years. Only the Yankees and Dodgers have that type of commitment to players. Look at it till 2020 … (info from Cot’s Contracts)

I just don’t believe a Tulo type of bat will be available midseason. Hitters like Marlon Byrd, Josh Willingham and others are the level of guys available. Those could be acquired as well.

Update … Marlon Byrd has a limited no trade clause with four teams on it— of course, the Mariners are one of the four. Byrd did say he would at least listen to trade deals to those four teams. But he does have some control over the situation. The Royals are also another team on the list that is interested in Byrd.